Japan's World Cup captain Wataru Endo ruled out with injury, retires from international duty

Japan's World Cup campaign has suffered a significant blow with the withdrawal of captain Wataru Endo due to a persistent foot injury. The midfielder, a key player for Liverpool, will not only miss the tournament in North America but has also announced his immediate retirement from international football.

Endo was with the Japanese squad in Nashville, Tennessee, but the pain in his right foot proved insurmountable. His absence means Shuto Machino, a forward for Borussia Mönchengladbach, has been called up as an emergency replacement. The news comes just three days before Japan's opening match against the Netherlands in Group F.

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There will undoubtedly come a time in the future when Japan wins the World Cup. So let's believe in it and support the team. Let's unite Japan's strength so that moment can happen in this tournament in North America.

At 33, Endo took to social media to express his feelings and offer a message of optimism to his teammates and fans. "There will undoubtedly come a time in the future when Japan wins the World Cup. So let's believe in it and support the team," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Let's unite Japan's strength so that moment can happen in this tournament in North America."

The injury's origins trace back to February during a match between Liverpool and Sunderland. Although Endo played 45 minutes in a friendly against Iceland on May 31, his physical condition did not improve sufficiently. He was substituted at halftime in that game and subsequently missed all training sessions during the team's camp in Mexico.

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I have done everything in my power since I suffered the injury, so I have no regrets.

Despite the disappointment, Endo expressed peace with his efforts. "I have done everything in my power since I suffered the injury, so I have no regrets," he stated. He also reflected on his tenure as captain, which began after the Qatar World Cup. "Of course, I am frustrated that I cannot play in this World Cup. But, more than that, I am proud to have captained this team since the Qatar World Cup and to have contributed to making it a group where it is natural to say that our goal is to win the World Cup," he added.

Endo's international career, which began in 2015, concludes with 73 caps and four goals. He was instrumental in Japan's campaigns at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, notably leading the team to historic victories against Germany and Spain in Qatar. He now passes the captain's armband but remains the team's biggest supporter.

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Of course, I am frustrated that I cannot play in this World Cup. But, more than that, I am proud to have captained this team since the Qatar World Cup and to have contributed to making it a group where it is natural to say that our goal is to win the World Cup.